Positive Trend in Mobile Internet Adoption for Women in Sub-Saharan Africa
Recent findings indicate that the gender gap in mobile internet adoption, smartphone ownership, and overall mobile access in sub-Saharan Africa is set to narrow by 2025. This trend mirrors improvements observed over the last two years, as detailed in the GSMA Mobile Gender Gap Report 2026. The gap in mobile internet adoption is projected to decrease from 30% in 2024 to 26% in 2025, suggesting a significant shift towards more equitable access.
Despite this encouraging trend, a staggering 230 million women in sub-Saharan Africa will remain unconnected in 2025, reflecting a considerable gap that has lessened from 38% in 2018. The ongoing efforts to bridge this divide align with progress noted in preceding years, with consistent improvements highlighted since 2023.
The reduction in the gender gap extends beyond internet use; smartphone ownership has also improved, decreasing from 24% to 22%. Furthermore, the overall mobile ownership gender gap has narrowed from 12% to 10% over the past year. These advancements signal a positive trajectory towards gender parity in mobile technology access.
Among the surveyed nations, Ethiopia emerges as one of the countries with the most pronounced gender disparities, exhibiting a 36% gap in mobile internet penetration, alongside significant gaps in smartphone ownership (34%) and general mobile ownership (22%). Uganda closely follows with a 33% gap in mobile internet adoption, while Nigeria reports a 26% discrepancy.
Regional Gender Gaps and Global Context
In the Middle East and North Africa, the gender gap in mobile internet adoption remains stable at 15% for 2025. Additionally, the gap in overall mobile ownership is consistent, holding steady at 8% since last year, while smartphone ownership disparities have improved from 12% to 10%.
On a global scale, approximately 810 million women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) do not have access to mobile internet, compared to 595 million men. Notably, more than two-thirds of these unconnected women reside in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. As it stands, women in LMICs are now 12% less likely to use mobile internet compared to their male counterparts, an improvement from a 14% disparity in 2024.
The report reveals that while mobile phone ownership stands at 84% for women, it is at 90% for men. In terms of smartphone access, 64% of women own smartphones versus 73% of men, illustrating persistent inequalities despite gradual improvements.
Gender disparities in smartphone ownership are most pronounced in Bangladesh (40%), Ethiopia (34%), India (33%), Pakistan (30%), and Uganda (26%), all of which also exhibit the lowest overall smartphone penetration levels. Addressing these barriers is vital for advancing women’s access to mobile internet and related services.
Economic Impact of Closing the Mobile Gender Gap
Closing the mobile gender gap in ownership and usage across LMICs could yield an estimated additional revenue of US$230 billion for the mobile industry by 2030. Furthermore, enhancing mobile internet adoption among women is expected to increase GDP by $1.3 trillion during this same timeframe.
Research from GSMA indicates that for women who adopt mobile internet, the perceived positive impact on their lives is comparable to that of men. Mobile technology has the potential to significantly enhance women’s resilience against economic, climatic, and political challenges, marking it as a crucial tool for empowerment.
